New Bipartisan Push
To Stop Imported Trash
Don't Trash
Michigan Coalition Hails GOP Proposals, Democrats' Cooperation
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For
Immediate Release:
May 20, 2003
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Contacts:
Mike
Garfield, Ecology Center 734-663-2400 ext. 104
James Clift, Michigan Environmental Council, 517-487-9539
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On
Tuesday, May 20 at 10:15 a.m. in Room 402-403 at the State
Capitola coalition of 24 environmental, labor and faith-based
organizations will announce its support for a package of major
new Republican legislative proposals that signal the most
important development this year in reforming waste laws and
resolving Michigan’s imported trash crisis. Rep. Ruth
Johnson, R-Holly, chair of the Michigan House Land Use and
Environment Committee, has scheduled three hearings beginning
Wednesday in Oakland County, on seven bills she has introduced
as well as other measures that have drawn early bipartisan
support in the Legislature. Companion bills for most of Johnson’s
proposals have been introduced in the Senate. Introduction
of the bills is significant because Johnson's committee has
jurisdiction over landfills and out-of-state waste policy
and key components of her proposed legislation is supported
by the chief architect of similar legsiation introduced by
Democrats. The Don’t Trash Michigan campaign, which began
in February, will unveil its analysis of these new proposals
and what the future might hold for reform of Michigan’s
trash laws.
Who: Don’t
Trash Michigan organizations; Michigan House Environmental
Chair Ruth Johnson, R-Holly; state Rep. Paul Gieleghem Jr,
D-Clinton Township; state Rep.Jerry Kooiman, R-Grand Rapids,
other legislative leaders
Where:
Room 402-403, State Capitol Building, Lansing
When:
10:15 a.m.
Visuals:
Colorful, official ‘Don’t Trash Michigan’ banner
Background
The Don't Trash Michigan campaign believes one reason Michigan
is an attractive dumping ground for imported waste is that
it's cheap to dump here. The campaign supports placing landfill
or "tipping" fees on waste to make Michigan less
cost-effective for places like Toronto, New Jersey, Ohio and
Illinois to dump here. Unlike other states Michigan does not
charge a fee to dump here. The campaign believes revenues
from tipping fees should go toward funding local recycling
programs. The campaign also supports prohibitions on waste
from Canada and other states that fail to meet Michigan public
health and environmental standards.
